Running no thermostat (constantly flowing coolant). What can that do?

5spd GT · Nov 26, 2005

Well I need a temporary fix for my car overheating. My thermostat issues aren't doing to well. They will open when the car hits a very high temperature and open for a very short while and shoot right back up. Way to much fluctuation. I'm going to get a 180* t-stat (Mr. Gasket) in but I need a way to keep my car cool (cold) for a couple weeks.

What cons what occur if I removed the t-stat completely? (just for 2 weeks)

What about drilling holes in it?

Any other thoughts?

DMAN302 · Nov 26, 2005

Well the only true "bad thing" would be the cars inability to reach the desired optimum temp for the car to run optimal. The engine should not be damaged in anyway..though it will run rich without a stat present. Has the car overheated on more than one occasion? Did you replace the stat that acted up?

slow93 · Nov 26, 2005

im running a 160 in mine and have no heating issues,you might try one of those and see what happens or flush the system out and put in new fluid for a temp fix

04sleeper · Nov 26, 2005

David,

Running without a thermostat will not let the radiator cool off the water quick enough and when you sit in traffic it will just keep heating up because it will flow right past the radiator and back into your motor.

Why do you have to wait on the Mr. Gasket?

I would go to the nearest auto store and buy a new thermostat. Most carry regular and high flow. Just buy the high flow.

I have used high flow Stant thermostats and they have worked just as well as Mr. Gasket.

slow93 · Nov 26, 2005

i agree with 89sleeper, running no stat will only make things worse in most cases

5spd GT · Nov 26, 2005

Well I have a napa t-stat in there (emergency stat) in there. I was just wanting to get by for a couple weeks because that is when I'm adding my longtubes and all this other nick nacks. I'm just being lazy...

My local napa said they didn't carry or could get a Mr. Gasket...

I just go back and forth to work for the next two weeks (highway) so I think I'd be fine.

I'm guessing the car would act cold (jumpy)?

I could deal with it but I don't want my car to be damaged due to overheating...

slow93 · Nov 26, 2005

what temp tstat are you running now?

5spd GT · Nov 26, 2005

Napa 195

Did have a Motorcraft 180* and it started doing similar problems but it wouldn't even open up. It has did fine for the last year and a half and it started doing it all of a sudden.

04sleeper · Nov 26, 2005

I would go and put in a new 180 thermostat for now. Even if it's not high flow its still better than none at all.

What are we talking about $10? If you already are pulling off the thermostat housing anyway then just put one in until you get the one you want.

$10 sounds like good insurance for that expensive motor don't you think?

5spd GT · Nov 26, 2005

I asked the woman at Napa if she had any 180* stats and she said no So I was thinking by the time I would order one I could have the right one a few days later.

Anyways, what do you guys think could be causing my problem. Do you think it is possible that two t-stats are bad? The motorcraft just wouldn't open. The napa would reach just as high of temperatures but finally open

Thomas302 · Nov 26, 2005

I must be the exception to the rule. I have not been running a T-stat for about 2 years, and the car never over heats even it traffic. The only problem I have is that the heater does not work when I am on the highway because the car cools off to around 110 degrees on the autometer gauge. Around town in traffic, it runs right a 160 where my electric fan kicks on. I am running an AFCO 2 core aluminum rad with a stock water pump. This is in southern New Mexico desert heat. Good luck.

slow93 · Nov 26, 2005

try autozone, they always have 180 stats.i think maybe the woman at napa didnt know what she was doing

04sleeper · Nov 26, 2005

It's possible.

Or you could drive 23 miles to Autozone and see if they have one.

TheUser · Nov 26, 2005

Thomas302 said:
I must be the exception to the rule. I have not been running a T-stat for about 2 years, and the car never over heats even it traffic. The only problem I have is that the heater does not work when I am on the highway because the car cools off to around 110 degrees on the autometer gauge. Around town in traffic, it runs right a 160 where my electric fan kicks on. I am running an AFCO 2 core aluminum rad with a stock water pump. This is in southern New Mexico desert heat. Good luck.

Well, generally with out a thermostat, the car doesn't heat up (much like yours isn't) and so the computer stays in closed loop (doesn't use sensors), so it doesn't run at optimum efficiency...probably pulls a little timing, adds a little fuel - doesn't run as well as it would if it were using the sensors. Since you've been doing it for 2 years, you've probably forgotten what it's actually supposed to run like.

5spd: I doubt it would do any harm for two weeks, and you already know you won't get optimum performance, which I doubt you need right now anyway. I just can't understand why two stats would be not opening. Are you sure you've burped it and turned the heater on when doing so?

ninety1gt · Nov 26, 2005

i've been running no t-stat for like 6 months, no problems from me, needle stays down in all driving conditions

5spd GT · Nov 26, 2005

Kevin - You and your mapquest

James - Ooppsss...I didn't turn on the heater. I just removed the cap, turned the car on, and let it heat up to midway on the guage, shut the car off, put cap back on and went from there. So could the heater not being on do that? Yeah, I'm not looking for a track monster for a couple weeks. Clutch slips to bad to be goosing around on it. That is one of the things I'm doing as well...

Grn92LX · Nov 26, 2005

89sleeper said:
Or you could drive 23 miles to Autozone and see if they have one.

He's 23 miles from an autozone?? Do you have any local speed shops? They should have the mr gasket stats or at least the speed shop by me does.

larrendeuce · Nov 26, 2005

I got mine from summit with regular shipping in 2 days. When I put mine in, I run the car with the radiator cap off, heater on, and I squish the upper hose to let the air out. Then I check to make sure it has heat, and take it for a spin to see if it overheats. To see if a thermostat is bad, or to check it before you put it in, throw it in a pot of boiling water.

Blk91stang · Nov 26, 2005

Even though people are getting away without any thermostat, I personally would not run without some type of restrictor in there to keep the coolant pressure up to efficiently cool all parts of the motor.

Temporarily or Permantly, I would cut the thermostat apart meaning taking out the spring and the middle part. This will leave a metal ring with a hole in it. Put this in and it will cool the car continuously while still keeping optimal pressure in the motor. Been doing this for a while with no problems. Also recommended by many radiator and water pump companies (Stewart, Griffin.. etc)

timewarped1972 · Nov 26, 2005

ok when you ask the parts people for 180 t stats, sometimes they say they dont have them because it isn't listed as a replacement part.
try one for a 65 mustang or basically and thermostat that will fit a small block ford should work.

Running no thermostat (constantly flowing coolant). What can that do?

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